Ex-Lord Chancellor: I'm absolutely sure assisted dying will be legalised in 2026

ASSISTED dying will be legalised next year despite the best efforts of opponents to block it, Lord Charlie Falconer has predicted.

- BY HANNA GEISSLER Health Editor

The peer, who is sponsoring the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in the House of Lords, said he is confident the landmark legislation will get through.

He told the Daily Express: “I’m absolutely sure that in 2026 we'll see an act of parliament that legalises assisted dying.”

Lord Falconer of Thoroton spoke at the start of a fourth day of debate yesterday, where peers were making their way through more than 1,000 amendments to the historic bill.

Supporters say a small group of hardline opponents is tabling hundreds of needless changes in a bid to frustrate parliamentary process and run down the clock.

However, the peers claim they are merely fulfilling their role and providing thorough scrutiny of a complex piece of legislation. Ten extra days have been allocated for debate early next year and campaigners have urged peers to use the remaining time constructively.

Lord Falconer, who met supporters of the legislation in Parliament Square yesterday, said: “We'll keep on going in the Lords.

“The Lords, I’m sure, will eventually realise that we have got to scrutinise this bill, make whatever improvements they want, but ultimately they must let it through to go back to the Commons, because it’s ultimately for the Commons to decide.”

The Labour peer, who was Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary for Tony Blair, added: “I’m confident that will happen.

“I’m also absolutely conscious the whole time that we’re doing this for the people, like the people we're meeting today, who in very many cases have terminal illness or have a loved one who has suffered a terminal illness. It’s not at all good that they see procedural strategies being used to block the passage of the bill through parliament.”